Arsenal Striker Lukas Podolski Rejected by Cologne and Schalke

Podolski's attempts to leave Arsenal have taken another blow.Getty Images

Lukas Podolski's attempts to leave Arsenal have stalled after Schalke and former club Cologne both ruled out a move for the wantaway Gunners striker in the upcoming January transfer window.

After having made just one start in all competitions for the north London club this season, the Germany international has spoken of his desire to leave the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says Podolski is not for sale following reported interest from Napoli and Juventus, and the 29-year-old's attempts to force through an exit in the new year have been further damaged after a string of rejections from the Bundesliga club.

Schalke director of sport Horst Heldt, when asked about potential deals for Chelsea's Andre Schurrle and Podolski, told Sport Bild magazine: "We're not considering Andre Schurrle at all. And the same goes for Xherdan Shaqiri and Lukas Podolski."

Any hopes Podolski had of returning to Cologne for a third spell have also been dashed, after his former side claimed they could not afford either the fee or the wages.

"We do not have €5 million [£4m] and we can't pay the salary for a player like Podolski," managing director Jorg Schmadtke told Bild.

"Podolski needs a team where he can play to its strengths and bring them to full advantage. We can not currently offer that. I told him our point of view and I think Lukas sees it the same way.

"It would be difficult to integrate a 121-cap international, who also plays in the Champions League with Arsenal. We will never again impose such a responsibility on one player.

"No-one has anything against Podolski returning to Cologne - he is a popular figure - but we do not want to jeopardise the team's uniformity."

Speaking earlier this month, Arsenal midfielder Tomas Rosicky claimed several first-team players at the club were unhappy with their limited opportunities, with many ready to leave the club in January. The Czech midfielder, Podolski and youngster Joel Campbell are said to be among the players unhappy with their current standing at Arsenal.